Second Chance Point

1: The Return

1: The Return

Sam: Yes Mom. I'm packed up. I'm on way to Changi Airport.

I'm talking to my mom via Viber as I picked up my luggage and I'm quite amazed with how many bags I have. Malaki ang babayaran ko sa over baggage nito.

Sophia: Okay, be safe honey! Have you called your brother? Who will pick you up from NAIA?

Sam: Nah. No one except you and dad knows that I'm coming back. I'll surprise everyone.

Sophia: Are you sure you're ready for this?

My mom's question took me by surprise. Am I ready for this?

Sophia: Sam, we both know that you left the Philippines not only because of that modelling opportunity of yours. You left the country because of what happened between you and Thomas.

I'm really amazed kung paano kami kayang basahin ng parents namin ng ganito kadali. I mean JC and I didn't grow up with them pero they still know us.

Good thing I am a big fan of How I Met Your Mother. (a/n: I am a really big fan so you'll read a lot of HIMYM quotes. Thank you.)

Sam: Mom, Ted Mosby said in one of HIMYM's episode that you can't cling to the past because no matter how tightly you hold on, it's already gone. Let's leave there. Besides, I can handle myself. By the way, thank you for supporting and understanding me. I love you.

Sophia: It's the least I can do for you, honey. I love you more. You'll be hanging up?

Sam: Yes Mom. I still have to get a cab. Say hi to dad for me. I love you and take care. Bye!

Sophia: Call us again soon. Have a safe flight baby.

I ended the call and locked up my room. I sighed as I close the door of my hotel room. 3 months akong tumira dito sa Singapore mag-isa. I stayed in a hotel that my agency got for me. I should be happy, just in time na matapos yung project ko dito nakuha naman agad ako na courtside reporter. I must admit being JC's twin sister gave me an advantage. I'm really going back to the Philippines. I checked out of the hotel and got a cab.

Am I really ready to go back? Singapore has been very good to me but it's not home. Besides, I miss JC more than ever. He's my twin brother and he's literally with me since day 0.

I checked-in my luggage. Umupo muna ako sa waiting area and listened to my iPod.

I'm at a payphone trying to call home all of my change I spent on you,

*Flashback... January 13, 20**, Sunday ( a week before our break-up)*

*Marimba*
Hanna Romero calling.....

Sam: Hi Hanna, what's up?

I am lying on our couch while waiting for Thomas' call. I was ecstatic when I heard my phone ring but it's not him. Oh well.

Hanna: AAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Sam: Hey! What's wrong? Why are you shouting?

Hanna: Sorry Sam! I just got super excited. Have you received yours?

Sam: Received what?

I'm totally clueless about this. What is Hanna talking about?

Hanna: You haven't? Are you on your unit?

Sam: Yup. What's wrong?

Hanna: I'm on way there.

2 minutes and I hear the door bell. I got up and opened the door. Hanna handed me an invitation then she went straight to the couch and opened the TV. Real friend.

Sam: What's this?

Hanna: Can't you read?

Read. Right!

Ms. Johanna Romero

You are invited to attend Candy Magazine's All-Girl Party.....

I sat beside Hanna and gave her back the invitation.

Sam:Why are so thrilled about this party? It's just like any other party thrown by Candy Mag. I'd rather go see Wanderland 20** than attend parties.

She glared at me like I said something wrong.

Hanna: What is wrong with you, Samantha Torregoza? This party is super special. Don't you know na girlfriends lang ng Candy cuties ang invited dito. JC, Jeron and Thomas are all Candy cuties so invited tayong tatlo. This is gonna be great! We have to go buy new clothes. I wonder where your invitation is? I'll call their office and go check.

I want to stop Hanna. I think I know why I haven't received mine. I don't even think I will ever receive one. Hanna started making the call and put her phone on speakers.

Hanna: Hi! This is Hanna Romero.

"Good afternoon Ms. Romero! Have you received your invitation for the party?"

Hanna: Yes, I did and I can't wait for it.

"Good to hear! I guess all the invitations are already received by the guests. By the way, what can I do for you?"

Hanna: Yah, about that. Thomas Torres' girlfriend is my friend and she hasn't received hers.

"Thomas Christopher Torres? Can you give me a minute to check because I personally asked Thomas if he has a girlfriend but he said that he's single?"

I knew it. He denied me again. Hanna looked at me and she's shocked.

Hanna: He is? Oh. Ah. Okay. I maybe mistaken but thanks anyway.

"No problem. We'll see you in two weeks. Just say hi to Jeron Teng from all of us here in Candy."

Hanna: Will do. Good bye.

She looked at me. I can see in her eyes that she's apologetic and clueless.

Hanna: What was that? You're still hiding?

Sam: Thomas' idea.

She hugged me and I hugged her back.

Hanna: I don't understand. Why?

I pulled away from the hug. I got up and went to the fridge and got us bottled milk teas.

Sam: Eh that's what he wants. I kinda understand him din naman. Kung malalaman ng fans na may girlfriend na siya, ma-didisappoint sila so there.

Hanna: The more that I don't get your point. Ano ba si Thomas, rookie? Oh c'mon girl, he's been in the league for 3 years already. 3 years.

Sam: Let's just respect his decision. After all, it's his call naman eh.

Hanna: Whatevs.

Hanna and I continued chatting until Nica and the guys arrived. Good thing no one opened the topic again until..

Nica: Hey, I'm craving for anything Korean.

Hanna: Me too. Let's go down and get some. Please?

So Nica, Hanna, JC and Jeron left. Thomas and I preferred to stay at home. I was sitting next to him when he rest his head on my shoulder and hold my hand.

Thomas: How's your day?

Sam: Nothing much.

I hesitated but I just felt the need to ask.

Sam: Thomas...

He removed his head from my shoulder and looked at me. His eyes met mine. I wanna melt. He's the most handsome thing in this world.

Thomas: Is this about Candy Mag's party?

His face turned hard as stone. He means real business.

Sam: It's not about that Thomas. You know me, baby.

Thomas: Yes, I know you that's why I know there's something. C'mon spill.

Sam: Am I not pretty?

Thomas: You're not pretty Sam. You're not just pretty. You're beautiful, inside and out.

Sam: Eh why are you ashamed of me?

Thomas: No, I'm not. What have I told you about this?

He kneeled in front of me. His eyes locked on mine.

Thomas: I have my reasons.

Sam: I trust you.

The whole week has passed.

Monday

I arrived 15 minutes early for my first class when my friend Saab approached me.

Saab: Sam, is it true that you're not invited to Candy Mag's party?

Saab is AVO's girlfriend. Marami namang may alam na kami ni Thomas eh but marami does not include UAAP blog writers, fans and supporters. Marami just includes our friends both in high school and college, our families, his teammates and the like.

Sam: Saab naman. As if you don't know Thomas.

I gave her a weak smile. She gave me back an apologetic smile. Thomas is a very good boyfriend I just don't want the fact that he denies me every time.

Saab: I guess this is one of the risks that we took when we said yes to those basketball players. They have supporters to please.We're not famewhores na gustong makilala ng fans so we can be famous. Alam ko yung pinanggagalingan mo, Sam. No girlfriend wants to be denied. We all dreamed of a guy who will be proud to tell the world that you are his.

Sam: It's good to know that someone understands me. Thank you, Saab!

I hugged her and she hugged me back.

Saab: Any time.

Tuesday

I have no class today and I'm bored.

I'm so bored so I decided to open Twitter. Checked my mentions tab, everything seems nice in there. Tweets from my blog readers and JC, Jeron and Thomas supporters saying how cute the 6 of us look and others.

I decided to search for my name Sam Torregoza.

"ANG FAMEWHORE NINA SAM TORREGOZA, HANNA ROMERO AT NICA JAMES! AKALA MO MAGAGANDA!"

"Wala namang gf si Thomas eh. Feeler lang si Sam Torregoza? Kakambal pa naman siya ni Hubby JC!"

"Sabi ng fans ni Thomas, baka daw gf na niya si Sam Torregoza. Asa naman yung Sam na yun. Slut."

Marami pang kasunod but I opt not to read those. It hurts to be called famewhore, feeler and slut. I have enough.

Wednesday

Jeron invited himself for lunch here in my unit. He requested for Chicken Adobo. Well, I know how to cook and my friends can't resist my cooking.

Jeron is my best friend because my lola's house is next to their house. Ahia Jeric, JC, Dichi Almira, Jeron and I used to play basketball when we were little. I just don't know why I got closer to Jeron than Dichi Almira.

Jeron: Samantha Torregoza, I think modelling is not the thing for you. Why don't you try opening your own resto?

Sam: Nah. Sa sobrang takaw mo baka malugi lang ako agad.

Jeron: You're mean. I know how to pay! I always pay when we're going out!

Jeron continue eating.

Sam: Mr. Teng, pwede mong tirahan si Don JC.

Jeron: *puppy dog pout*

I hate it when Jeron does that. It's the most annoying thing in the world and Jeron knows that.

Sam: Ok fine. Wag mo ng tirahan. I'll just cook Sinigang for him later.

Jeron: Can I have dinner here later?

Sam: Kahit naman hindi kita iinvite basta abutan ka ng dinner time, dito ka pa rin kumakain. Jeron Alvin, dito ka na rin kaya tumira?

Jeron: Ayoko masyado kang mag-eenjoy.

I glared at him. He's the most conceited man I know but I don't know what I will do without this guy. He's like JC to me. Hanna and Thomas both know that Jeron and I are inseparable yet we never fell in love with each other.

Jeron: By the way, Ahia read your blog last night. You're called famewhore, feeler and slut again?

I sighed.

Sam: Nothing's new about that Jeron. It's just that I don't know why I don't get use to it. If Hanna is called like that, what would you do?

Jeron: I will defend her. I will not keep my mouth shut. I won't let anyone make her feel bad about herself.

I don't know why but I am so jealous of Hanna. Jeron loves her so much. I know it and I can feel it. How come Thomas doesn't make me feel that way?

Sam: Jeron. *sob* I don't deserve this, don't I? *sob*

Jeron faced me then hugged me.

Jeron: Haters are just confused admirers. Don't cry over them.

I can't stop crying. I'm so hurt.

Sam: Not that. *sob* I don't deserve the way *sob* Thomas treats me. *sob* He never defends me. *sob* I was never his girlfriend. *sob*

Jeron started patting my back.

Jeron: Hush Sammy. Hush. Do what you think is right.

What is the right thing to do?

Saturday, January 20

It took me three days to think about what Jeron said. Do what I think is right.

To: Thomas *kiss emoji*: I'm craving for Mcdo fries and Mcflurry! Please? I love you.

I can feel my heartbeat fast. I banged my head on my table pero mahina lang. few minutes more and our doorbell rang. I rushed to the door and peep at the peephole. It's him.

I breathe heavily. I slowly opened the door. I feel like crying.

Thomas: Hi baby!

I can't stop my tears from falling.

Thomas: What's wrong?

He enveloped me in a very tight hug. As he whispers,

Thomas: What's wrong? Ganyan ba katindi ang craving mo for fries and mcflurry?

I hugged him back as he started caressing my hair.

Sam: You're silly. Na-miss lang kita.

Thomas: I missed you too baby. Tara, I'm also hungry.

We went to Mcdo beside our campus. It's almost 5 pm kaya wala na masyadong tao. Buti naman. He ordered while I looked for a seat. I chose the one na medyo tago. I don't want to make a scene in case.

Pag dating niya with our food, we started eating. He seems happy. Ang dami niyang kinukwento about what happened during practice and the like.

Thomas: Ang tahimik mo. Something's wrong?

He held my hand na nakapatong sa may table.

Sam: No everything's fine.

Mukha siyang hindi na-convince sa sagot ko.

Thomas: Where's the poop, Sam? (HIMYM :] )

Sam: Thomas, I think we should just be friends.

Nagulat ata siya sa sinabi ko.

Thomas: Is this some kind of a joke? Why? WHY ARE YOU BREAKING UP WITH ME?!?

He held my hand tighter but he's not looking at me.

Sam: This relationship is heading nowhere. Thomas, masyado na akong nasasaktan. I was never your girlfriend. You never treated me like one.

I started crying. Wala bang madaling way para dito? Nakikita ko na nagsisimula na rin siyang umiyak. Please don't cry Thomas. :'(

Sam: We were together for five years already but I feel like you were never proud of me and I have reached my point of no return. I've been bashed by your fans a lot of times and you never defended me. Not once. You have no idea how bad it is for me whenever I can't come close to you when we're surrounded by fans. You have no idea how bad it is for me to feel that I am just second to basketball, to your career. Hanggang kaya ko pa, please, let's just be friends.

He let go of my hand. Pinunasan niya yung mata niya then he faced me.

Thomas: If breaking up with me will make you feel better, okay then, let's just be friends.

Tumayo na siya at umalis. Thomas.

*Flashback ends*

"Final call for Philippine Airlines Flight ****..."

I stood up and sighed. Philippines, I'm coming back.



Author's note:

Thank you for reading the first chapter of this story. Comment, vote and follow me!

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Kung may suggestions kayo, don't hesitate to me PM me. I'd be glad to hear all your comments!

Again, maraming salamat!

God bless you. :)